COVID-19: the Austrian experience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31557/apjec.2020.3.S1.3-4Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Austria, PCR tests, policiesAbstract
This short paper reports on the Austrian experiences with the Corona pandemic in the first quarter of 2020. In the beginning Austrian experts neglected the threat but a cluster in a skiing resort including international visitors served as a wake-up call and quickly after that strict and successful measures were applied. The paper proceeds describing the development of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and upgrading of testing facilities in Austria. The Austrian Agency for Health & Food Safety (AGES) played a leading role in this process. International cooperation and information exchange were fundamental to the successful implementation of specific and sensitive laboratory methods.
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